Sidhu Upset After Capt Amarinder Snubs Him for Deputy CM’s Post

Upset over the snub for the Deputy Chief Minister’s office by Captain Amarinder Singh, outspoken leader Navjot Singh Sidhu left without speaking to the media after his induction as the minister for Local Government, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, and Archives and Museums portfolios on Thursday.

Sidhu, who has been handed these relatively insignificant portfolios, is speculated to have been angling for the Deputy Chief Minister’s office.

However, he was denied by the incoming Chief Minister Amarinder Singh because he “does not want dual power centres in the party”.

Speaking to CNN-News18 on Wednesday, Amarinder Singh said that he is firmly against appointing a deputy CM as it will be harmful for the state. He added:

Having a deputy CM is not the Congress’ way... Punjab has never had a deputy... because there is no point making power centres which will be harmful for the state.

Punjab's new CM Amarinder Singh, who was sworn-in earlier on Thursday, has decided to keep important portfolio of Home Department with himself, while announcing Manpreet Singh Badal as the new Finance Minister.

Manpreet Badal, the estranged nephew of outgoing Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, will also handle the portfolios of Planning and Employment Generation.